Fear of failure at uni

[issy93]

Hi all,

I hope you can give me some insight. I am studying nutrition at university and I sometimes have a kind of fear of failure, a fear that I am not going to remember what I learn and am not going to be a good nutritionist. It's not necessarily a fear of failing my units, I am passing my units, but a fear that I am going to forget what I learn, that things aren't going to sink in. I don't know if this is normal? Are other people feeling the same way? And it's not that I don't study and therefore don't learn, I study hard, maybe I am studying too hard and putting too much thought into the situation? 

I try to tell myself that it's ok because if I struggle with a unit I can always repeat it, and I remember things others have told me, such as "if they pass you then you know the minimum of what they expect you to know" and "most of what you learn is learnt after uni when you actually work, uni is just for learning concepts". And I think of some other students I know who are always struggling in chemistry class and I take from this that it is normal to find it difficult, hehe. But I still feel worried after that.

Thank you for your help!

[geoff]

dear Issy, I'll like to welcome you to the site, as there will a lot of support here.

What others have said to you is true, because once you finish uni you do get much more experience out in the work force, although it maybe slightly different from what you have learnt at uni, but it's a totally different aspect, because it's not text book material.

You can learn how a book tells you to how to a nail into a piece of wood with a hammer, but the book can't tell you what it feels like holding a hammer, because there are many different types of hammers, and there's an enormous difference between nailing into soft wood compared to hard wood where the nail is likely to bend.

Even to get the highest score possible still makes no difference, because it won't make you to be able to use the hammer any better.

Someone who becomes the highest scholar will normally change jobs often, because they believe that they know better, and when nothing changes they become annoyed or frustrated, so they have to change jobs.

Chemistry and physics, although the latter you won't be doing, are difficult subjects, so all you have to do is just pass them, there's no need to become a 'road scholar'.

Let us know what you think. Geoff.

[Magyarok]

Hi Issy,

Welcome back to the forums. I think your fear of not being able to remember what you learn is pretty common so please don't worry too much about that. I am glad that you are passing your units. 

When i was at uni almost 20 years ago i remember someone saying that 'you'll be lucky to remember 10% of what you learn and that you will do your real learning in the workplace' and this has proven to be true for me.

My experience of the uni system is that exams encourage rote learning and are only a test of the short term memory once over i'd be lucky to remember anything just two weeks later! So i wonder if exams have any real value?

I think that the true benefit of uni is that it teaches concepts (as you mentioned) and it also teaches us how to seek information, how to think more laterally or 'outside of the box' and how to think more critically and objectively and how to test current theories and knowledge of best practice for continual improvement.

Assignments are ok because they at least teach us how to seek information.  Research projects and prac work teaches us lateral and objective thinking and how to test current theories but unless you want a PhD i believe that real learning comes from workplace experiences. 

Is workplace experience or industrial placement a requirement of your studies?  I think that seeking work experience would be a good idea and will hold you in good stead for entering the workforce and will give you confidence.

In regards to studying too hard, please don't put too much pressure on yourself as this isn't conducive to learning.  Avoid all night last minute cram sessions as this causes more stress than its worth. 

From my experience having a good night sleep before an exam proved to make a big difference.  Also if you are feeling too stressed don't be afraid to step away and have a break for a moment.  You would be amazed how refreshed and more focused you will feel just by going for a 20 minute walk or stopping to have a cup of tea.

I really wish you the very best with your studies.  I think that your dedication to study and your fear of not remembering demonstrates to me your commitment and i think in time you'll be an awesome nutritionist!  I for one could certainly benefit from some nutritional advice 🙂

How are you going with everything else as we discussed in one of your previous threads?

Take care and best wishes

Dave (ignoP)

P.S. i hated chemistry as well as engineering - yuck!

[issy93]

Hello geoff and ignoP, thank you for taking the time to reply 🙂 Your advice has been insightful.

IgnoP, prac is not a compulsory component of my degree, although nutrition students are told frequently about prac opportunities that come up. Yes I think it would be a good idea to take it on board too. I've heard people say it will help me with my employability. 

And oh, I guess I'm getting through but I seem to have one worry after another haha. I'm definitely doing better since joining beyond blue. 

[Magyarok]

Hi Issy,

I'm glad that you received value from our replies and i'm happy for you that you are doing better since joining beyond blue.  We are here to help and support each other and we are really happy to provide support whenever we can. 

Best wishes to you:)

Dave